Taxonomy

Crop categories

Basic information and facts

Origin:

The Sunda Islands and the Moluccas

Distribution:

Mangosteen was first domesticated in Thailand or Burma. Its main distribution now includes Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Burma, Malaysia and Singapore. Also grown but to less extent in parts of Sri Lanka, India, Philippines, some places in Africa (i.e. Zanzibar, Ghana), the Carribean, and South America

Evergreen or deciduous:

Evergreen tree.

Fruits:

The mangosteen fruit has a deep purplish peel. Inside is a succulent
white pulp consisting of 4 to 8 segments and one to five seeds. The pulp has a sensational flavor which is probably the reason that it is called "queen of fruits".

Leaves:

Short thick leathery evergreen leaves.

Trunk:

The bark of the mangosteen tree has a dark brown (nearly black) color.

Height:

Crown:

Type of soil:

Growth rate:

Slow growing. In Thailand, the tree is said to take at least 12 years to fruit

Spacing (close range)

10 meter

Spacing (wide range)

12 meter

Propagation:

The so-called "seeds" are not true seeds but embryos that start growing without sexual fertilization. The reproduction process is thus vegetative, which means that there is very little variation in the resulting trees and their fruits.

Insect pests:

Usually no serious pests.

Diseases:

Usually no serious diseases.

Other problems:

Mangosteen can suffer from a physiological problem called "gamboge". Latex is oozing onto the outer surface of the fruits and on the branches during periods of heavy rain. This does not affect the eating quality of the fruit, but because it affects appearance of the fruits it may result in lowering the economic value of the harvest.

Harvesting:

Harvest the fruits by hand from ladders or with a cutting pole, but don’t allow fruits to fall on the ground. Ripeness can be determined from the full development of color and slight softening of the fruits. Fruits must be fully mature (developed) before picking otherwise they will not ripen. In Thailand harvesting starts in May and continues through the rainy season.

Uses:

Eat as a hand fruit. Cut the skin half way and open the fruit. The spoon out the white pulp.

Proverbs and Quotes

Mangosteen is the Queen of Fruits.

Imagine the best peach you’ve ever eaten, combined with a touch of passion fruit, a sliver of nectarine and a nip of lychee. Imagine a concord grape’s sweet purple essence giving way to the clean leanness of a Granny Smith. Add a squeeze of lime, and a spoon of buttery brown sugar. Stir. (Jarrett Wrisley)